DIABETES — It’s Complicated…

Thursday, March 24, 2016

…but, I’m using my BRAIN!  You know, to sort things out, organize my diabetic needs, in the interest of good health.  In my prior post, I spoke about responsibility.  Sleep habits, healthy foods, and exercise, fall into that category and MUST be a priority in my life and, I  accept complete responsibility for each sector.  This really IS the way to good diabetes management and great glucose levels.

I walked this morning — first thing.  Ugh. I hated every minute, but I did it; NO CHOICE.

Started WALKING — again!

Food planning, I’ve FINALLY accepted it is imperative to avoid “slips.” I went shopping today with lunch and dinner menus a priority.  My freezer is chock full of chicken and fish, so my basket was filled mostly with vegetables and fruits.

Breakfast is the most difficult meal of the day for me. Why? Chocolate chip pancakes, waffles, of course!  Either would be my choice. This is the ONE MEAL that is a problem for me, and it’s not a new dilemma. I’m allergic to eggs, so there’s that. I like most foods, but my issue is the consistency of some of them — cottage cheese, for example, oatmeal, yogurt, anything mushy or gushy — I just can’t get them down.  What to do? Any suggestions? The “most important meal of the day” (or so THEY say) is the one that I can’t seem to resolve. HELP! PLEASE, I’m pleading with you! 

 

Regarding organization, new recipes are vital for me to keep interested in food preparation;  I’ve been scouting the Internet for different ones.  I’ll share of my T2D epicurean delights, as I make them  🙂  Variety is the spice of life!

I’m determined and dedicated to use my BRAIN to carve out my path to successful diabetes management!

About my BREAKFAST DILEMMA, seriously, if you have any ideas, I’d be thrilled to hear them.  THANKS!!!

Blood Sugar = 86        Weight = 148

 

 

GRILLED = Exceptional dinner recommendation!

Today I met some friends at a Mediterranean Grill; a restaurant called the “Wild Fig.”  Diabetics should run, not walk, to this eatery.  Almost everything is grilled, no butter in sight.  I ordered a combo special consisting of grilled salmon and a lamb and vegetable kebab.  A friend ordered the shrimp and lamb kebabs. My sister ordered the shrimp and lamb kebabs, with a salad on the side.  Mine came with steak fries and my friends arrived with grilled vegetables.  We split both.  In the end, I had not quite a third of the fries and half of the vegetables. Perfect.  I was a little concerned about the fries, but when I took my post-dinner glucose, it was 118.

Every single dish that passed our table was a vision, and “ooo’s” and “ahhh’s” were heard throughout the restaurant. The grilled delights were spectacular, and the salads amazing (beware of the feta…). The presentation was exceptional, as was the service. I love the wedges of lemon on the side; squeezing them over the dish adds a zip! I’m not a food critic, that’s for sure. But, I know what’s good for the diabetic pallet, and I highly recommend Wild Fig.

Dining out can be difficult for a diabetic, but this time, the choices were easy. Bottom line — a fine meal was had by all!

“Dining Out v.s. Eating Out — How to Deal With It”

Thursday, May 14, 2015

“Dining Out  v.s.  Eating Out — How to Deal With It”

Is there a difference? Absolutely — at least to me there is.

“Eating Out” in my book means grabbing something to eat and moving along with the day. Often, no real thought goes into this. If I eat in a rush or because I’m hungry or it’s time, and I’ve got things to do and places to go, I’m usually in for a mistake.

Example: The #1 Meal at Nathan’s, a hot dog, fries, and a soda. There’s nothing healthy on that tray. (OMG, I love those dogs! Sorry, but it’s true.)

I’ve found that other fast-food places usually pose the same difficult choices for me. (Disclaimer: Some DO have a healthy choice or two and some even indicate the calories for each item — that’s a help). Do I make good choices when I’m there? No. My bad, I admit it. The smell of the fries overtakes my senses, my mouth begins to water, my breathing accelerates and a bad decision is usually ahead. Allowing that ‘rush’ to overcome my brain is frustrating! Do I cave? Sometimes. No one ever said diabetes was easy, but they did say it can be controlled.

My answer to this dilemma? DON’T go in. For me, I’m aware that eating in a fast-food restaurant will lead to disaster. I need to think about what I’m doing to my body. Slow down. Make a healthy decision. What would Spock do? “Live long and prosper,” of course. Now THAT sounds like a wise decision.

O.K., here’s the other end of the spectrum — “Dining Out.”
If I’m going to lunch or dinner with friends, or breakfast too, for that matter, my first line of defense is the Internet. I enter the name of the restaurant, pull up the menu, check out the choices and determine what the best decision for me might be. It’s easy to make the right choice ahead of time, sticking to it is the difficult part.

I’ve found that there are tools to help me follow through with my healthy choice:

1. Drink an 8 oz. glass of water, prior to leaving for the restaurant.

2. Consume a healthy snack an hour before going.

3. Remember that, even though there’s a menu, you can usually get any of the items on it grilled. Just ask.

4. Avoid the prix fixed choices. They may be a good deal money wise, but they usually include an appetizer and dessert. Do you really need that? NO, and try not to convince yourself that you ‘deserve’ it — you deserve to be healthy.

5. IMPORTANT:  If at all possible, be the FIRST to order, and then hand your menu to the waiter. It’s not spiritual reading; no need to hold onto it. Consider your decision complete. Done! Finito!

6. Stick to your guns; don’t let anyone sabotage your decision. Here’s an answer to:

“You’re not having an appetizer?”
Ans: “No. Saving room for dinner. I’ve been looking forward to it all day. I don’t want to spoil my appetite.”

“What, no dessert?”
Ans: “Are you kidding? I couldn’t eat another thing. Dinner was deeeelicious!”

Believe it or not, you will survive without an appetizer and dessert, and your friends will get used to you making healthy choices. With any luck, they’ll follow your lead!

The payoff at the end of the meal is that you will have made good decisions that will lead to a healthy life. Isn’t that all that matters?

Hey! Let me know the tools that you use to make healthy choices
–OR– Having difficulties? Want to share..?

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YOU KNOW YOU’RE ADDICTED WHEN…

Saturday, October 4, 2014

You KNOW you’re addicted when —

1. chocolate is the FIRST thing you think about when you wake up.

2. you pull into the gas station to buy a newspaper and KNOW it’s the candy bar you’re really after.

4. your car is filled with candy wrappers.

5. at dinnertime your appetizer is a Milky Way!

6. your desk at work is overrun with candy wrappers.

7. you dig into your coat pocket and come up with M&M’s.

8. Halloween is you favorite holiday.

9. you take a bath and dream of bathing in chocolate

10. in a restaurant, the first section you read on the menu is “Desserts.”

You KNOW you’re addicted when —

— THIS HAS BECOME A PROBLEM, and you’re determined, “DEDICATED” to fixing it.

THAT’S enough!